Moving Right Along . . .

 For fun, I am documenting my moving experience. Packing up or disposing of seventy years worth of ‘stuff’ is a daunting task, but fortunately I have friends helping me. So, how has it being going? I would say it is going well. My china and glassware are all safely packed. There are stacks of boxes everywhere: some packed and some empty and waiting.

A friend came with his friend on Wednesday to cart away a very large bookcase that my dad had built for me many, many years ago. It will have a new home at a food pantry. My dad would be pleased about that. Today they came back for another bookcase. I imagine you can guess what I’m now dealing with . . . a zillion books. Some quilting books I have left on the back table at guild meetings along with two shopping bags full of fabric. Don’t worry; I still have enough fabric to last a lifetime. Other  books will be donated. Don’t worry; I will still have a bookcase full of favorite quilting and crafting books which I am keeping. 

Yesterday I put out on the sidewalk two aluminum frame chairs and one ancient, red chaise lounge still in good working order. It could not have been more than ten or fifteen minutes before a woman stopped. She appeared to hesitate. I came walking up the hill after putting some trash in a friend’s barrel. When I got closer, she asked if I knew whether these items were free, and I assured that they were. She said that her family enjoys camping and that these pieces would be great. Three more items gone . . . 

The men who do my mowing also happily left with items from the garage: crowbars, two sledge hammers, two large pick axes, and two old coal shovels. After the closing, they will help me move my gardening tools, garden decorations, bags of fertilizers and other such things to my new home. 

Whenever we have a rain-free day, it is my intention to put items out on the sidewalk. I almost forgot; someone also took the puppy gates that I put out this morning and some neighbors are taking my picnic table. So, all things considered, I am making progress. Now if only I could just get some sleep!!!

One last thing . . . too worn out to cook the other evening I picked up some Chinese food, and you are not going to believe this. There were four fortune cookies: two for Emma and me to share the first evening and two saved for the next night’s leftovers. When I broke open the fourth cookie, this is what I saw. . . 

In case it is unclear, it reads “A positive change in your living situation is on the horizon this month.”

Now that is downright spooky cool and, yes, I’m going to frame it!!!

Keep smiling.

Once Every Seventy Years . . .

 In my previous post I spoke of being crazy busy in a very good way. I had been on a fun, four-day quilting retreat in Sturbridge with members of the Herring Run Quilt Guild. That was not the only reason I was and continue to be so busy. While away, my realtor informed me that my offer on a new home had been accepted. WOW!!!!!!!

As some of you know, my parents brought me to the home that I live in as a baby. I love my neighbors, my gardens, my sunporch, and my large backyard. Friends, however, have been encouraging me to move to a one level home. 

My friend Kathy L. lives with her husband in a 55+ community in South Weymouth. Her home is absolutely lovely. She has let me know whenever a home has gone on the market, and I’ve always made up some excuse not to go check it out.

Well, a one level home recently came on the market and she “dragged” me to the open house two weeks ago. I went reluctantly, and as God is my witness, when I walked in I knew that this was the perfect home for me. It’s gorgeous and offers everything that I could possibly want including a sunroom, deck, a garden area, and a fenced in yard for Emma. Oh, it also has more closets and cabinets than I could ever imagine.

I’ve decided that the guest bedroom which is fourteen by fourteen will become my dream quilting, cross stitching, and wool applique studio.

The only downside is trying to go through seventy years of “stuff.” I am incredibly blessed to have friends who have been helping me pack, a daunting but exciting task.

Yesterday was bittersweet as I had the family piano hauled off. No one wants pianos anymore. It had belonged to my Aunt Mildred and was over one hundred years old. She was an excellent pianist. I haven’t played it much in recent years, and I couldn’t see trying to fit it into my new home. 

So, while I may not be showing any new creative work for a while, do stick around for this amazing adventure. My home is filled with boxes, and I pass papers on June 6.

I’m now totally convinced that everyone should move at least once in seventy years. Wish me luck!!!

Crazy Busy Times

 It has been crazy busy around here lately . . . nothing bad . . . all good. I went on a four day quilt retreat with sixty members of the Herring Run Quilt Guild, and though I have no finishes to show, I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the projects on which other ladies were working. 

AND look what Sue Hart was working on . . . WOW!!!

Here’s one of my favorites blocks.

I forget how many years Sue said she has been working on this hand applique masterpiece, but it will be spectacular when finished.

Yes, the ballroom was filled with eager beaver quilters. And coincidentally, when we went to dinner one night, we spotted a beaver dam in the stream beside one of the restaurants.

 

Finally, have you ever seen an automatic pancake maker? It was the first time seeing one for me. :-)

I got a kick out of seeing the pancakes moving slowly down the conveyor belt, and I did enjoy my “Smarter Hot Breakfast Experience.” Gee, do you think that I could get one for my kitchen?

Have a great week. :-)

Hope You Had a Hoppy, Happy Easter!

 “Hoppy Ewe” from designer Annie Tuner of The Proper Stitcher is my latest cross stitch finish. The sheep display piece is from Paisley and Polka Dots . As I have mentioned previously, their displays come in pieces, and you must then paint and assemble them which is a fun process. This piece also includes a three layered star which I will paint and add if/when I display a patriotic piece.

I glue magnets to the display piece and put washers on the back of the cross stitch piece, so I will be able to easily switch out pieces. 

The daffodils are blooming, and once again I recreated a favorite Emma puppy shot.

My adorable Emma . . . March 2012

Thursday, April 17, 2025,  after a trip to the groomer . . .  If you look closely, you can see a tiny, puffy bunny on her collar courtesy of her groomer. 

I had written up to this point on Saturday. This morning we learned the news of the passing of Pope Francis. I attended parochial school, and many, many years ago I remember attending a Mass for our pastor’s mother who had gone home to God on Easter. Though only a child, I remember the pastor saying that his mom had lived a long life and that she had died on Easter, and how very special that was. Pope Francis blessed and greeted the crowd gathered at the Vatican on Easter morning, and later he, too, went home to God on this special day. Bless him. 

Last note … Saturday, April 19th, marked the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. While I have visited Lexington and Concord countless times, I have never attended the 5:00am reenactment on the Lexington Green. It’s one of those things I have always meant to do but have not. Maybe next year I’ll attend the rehearsal on the day before which is held at a much more civilized hour. :-)

Have a good week.

Imaginary Daffodils

 It had been my intent to post some photos of lovely clumps of daffodils, but Mother Nature did not cooperate. So, imagine if you will some bright, happy daffodils kissed by raindrops since the weather continues to be wet. Today’s springtime temperature is a balmy 37 degrees. :-(

I had planned to post yesterday to discuss all that I had worked on during the week. Big Finish! Late Saturday night I put in the last stitches on “Un Jour a Paris en Hiver” which I began back in March of 2024. Michael’s had a 70% off custom framing special. Yesterday was the last day of the sale, and I was determined to take advantage of it. It will be ready in two weeks.

The Joys of Home Ownership - Another chapter . . . a photo to strike fear in the heart of any homeowner. . . 

Yes, a few days ago,  I glanced up at my living room ceiling to see a yardstick length water stain right down the middle.  There was no water dripping, just the stain. The plumber came and was baffled as to where the water was coming from. I had had the roof replaced a year ago, so that wasn’t the problem. No problems in the attic or signs of trouble in the room above the stain. Finally, he found what he thinks is the problem, the dial in my tub/shower. Fingers crossed, he will be able to fix the problem without having to cut an access hole in the upstairs hallway behind the bathroom. If that’s not it, worse case scenario, he will have to open up the living room ceiling to see if there is a problem with a pipe. In any event, the living room and the ceiling will have to be painted. I’m hoping I’m on the plumber’s schedule for tomorrow which will mean missing a guild meeting.

So, what did I accomplish last week? I prepared the sleeve and binding for a quilt just back from the longarmer. I added borders to two quilt which will be donated when finished. I prepped four small quilts to work on later this month at a retreat,  and I stitched steadily on the cross stitch piece that was dropped off to be framed.

 I hope I’m as productive this week as I was last week, and I also hope that I don’t end up with any holes in my wall or ceiling!!!

Have a good week.

Retreat Time on Cape Cod

A week ago at this time, I was attending a quilt retreat at the Bayside Resort in West Yarmouth on Cape Cod. I was with forty lovely ladies from the Crosstown Quilters Guild. Sewing machines were humming, but because of a shoulder issue, I only brought cross stitching. (I am happy to report that after a magic cortisone shot and a few PT sessions, my shoulder is fine, but I wasn’t taking any chances and left my machine at home.)

Usually, I take photos of many of the quilts in process, but I only took a few this time.

Here’s a colorful quilt created by Joyce. 

 Mary D. made this piece for her granddaughter who likes Highland Cattle. Isn’t he a cutie!

So what did I stitch? Rascals by designer Barbie Tingley at Petal Pushers. It was finished on this bunny shaped backing board that I picked up at the Target dollar spot a number of years ago. This five dollar piece has been sitting in my stash waiting for the right cross stitch piece.

Let me leave you with a smile. This sweet sheep planter came home with me from the grocery store yesterday simply because it did make me smile! We are living in frightening times, and I’m all in for anything that makes me smile. :-) 

Stay positive and have a good week. 

Something Fishy Going On . . .

 It has been awhile since my last post, but I have been busy stitching. I just haven’t had any fully finished pieces to show. An Irish Chain quilt is at the long armer, and early this morning (4:00 am) I finished adding the final borders to this fish panel quilt which will be donated to DCF (the Department of Children and Families.) Now, I don’t usually sew at 4:00 am, but there are some nights when things keep you awake. In my case, it’s a frozen shoulder that is the culprit. OUCH!!! PT starts on Thursday.

Here is the fishy panel that I am using. Isn’t it cool! All the borders have been added, so I’ll be able to start quilting it soon. 

I love this panel, and I only wish I could remember where I purchased it.

Yes, colorful panels are perfect to use in quilts for children. Interestingly, while scrolling through Youtube sites yesterday, I came across a tutorial for a log cabin panel quilt that I am definitely going to explore. Sew Charming Quilt Shop in Clanton, AL seems like a wonderful quilt shop. It has a presence on Youtube with many tutorials. Just go to Youtube, put in Sew Charming Quilt Shop,  and you will find much to enjoy. Look for the “Log Cabin Panel” demo video which was posted yesterday.

Now, please stop what you are doing or save this for later, but you absolutely must check this out. In Chamberlain, South Dakota, there is a fifty foot stainless steel sculpture by Dale Lamphere which depicts an Indigenous woman in plain style dress with a star quilt around her. It is truly stunning and something I one day hope to see in person. This statue is called ”Dignity of Earth and Sky.” Equally stunning is a quilt entitled “Dignity” by Veruschko Zarat which won  Best of Show at Quilt Con 2025. Again, you absolutely must see this. Go to Youtube and search for “Alex Anderson LIVE “ to see a short interview with an amazingly gifted quilter. The interview starts at about eight minutes into the program. Quilter or not, I know you will be stunned by the beauty of this double sided quilt. I have never seen a more impressive or more beautiful quilt.

Here are a couple of other recommendations. If you haven’t seen the six-part political/conspiracy thriller Zero Day starring Robert Di Nero on Netflix, it is definitely worth your time. Though, truth to say things are pretty scary enough in real life right now. 

Another Netflix movie, The Six Triple Eight, directed by Tyler Perry is also very well done. It tells the true story of a Black WAC unit stationed in France during WWII assigned the impossible task of sorting and sending out a two-year backlog of millions of pieces of mail. The focus for the prior two years had been the delivery of supplies and weapons with no attention paid to the letters. One account said that17 million pieces of mail sent by soldiers to their loved ones and vice versa had been bagged and stored in multiple warehouses. This movie, too, is well worth your time. 

Finally, last week one of the presenters on the Youtube podcast Occupy Democrats summed things up with this line. “It’s been six weeks and we are all on the highway to hell without any airbags.” Sad but true, but it brought a smile to my face. 

Find moments of peace and joy each day.